SELF-SUSTAINING: Will the day come when we need to live off what we produce? Will we need to be self-sustaining?

Prophetic Statements

First Presidency

Our primary purpose was to set up, insofar as it might be possible, a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self-respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership. ¹

Brigham Young

Ye Latter-Day Saints, learn to sustain yourselves, produce everything you need to eat, dink, or wear….You have learned a good deal, it is true, but learn more; learn to sustain yourselves; lay up grain and flour and save it against a day of scarcity. Sisters, do not ask your husbands to sell the last bushel of grain you have to buy something for you out of the stores, but aid your husbands in storing it up against a day of want, and always have a year’s or two, provision on hand.²

We want men to labour in every mechanical pursuit that they can; for I believe that the time will come when we shall have to depend upon our own resources; and I pray the Lord to so hedge up the way and shut down the gate, that we may be compelled to depend upon our own manufacturing for the comforts of life. ³

How long shall we have the privilege of sending to New York, St. Louis, or other places to buy our goods? Babylon will surely fall. It may be said that we shall always be poor without commerce. [But] we shall always be poor with it, unless we command it; and unless we can do this, we are better without it. Instead of sending our wealth abroad to purchase artificials, why not try to make them ourselves, or do without them? Why not continue our endeavours until we can manufacture cotton cloth as fine as these children are wearing today? Why not raise flax and prepare it with care, and continue our efforts until we can make linens of every description and quality? This home industry should be persevered in from year to year with the view to our ultimate independence of a foreign market. This is our duty. It is true we do not do it. Instead of our young ladies letting the time hang heavily upon their hands, or instead of being engaged in some useless and profitless employment, they would enjoy much more real peace of mind to be engaged in the production of some useful material of some kind, it may be of silk, of linen, of woollen, of straw, or of artificials and ornaments manufactured from paper, feathers, or other material produced at home. ⁴

If you are without bread, how much wisdom can you boast and of what real utility are your talents, if you cannot procure for yourselves and save against a day of scarcity those substances designed to sustain your natural lives? ⁵

Wilford Woodruff

The day will come, when, as we have been told, we shall all see the necessity of making our own shoes and clothing and raising our own food. ⁶

Joseph F. Smith

The instructions that have been given unto us in regard to temporal matters, and in regard to bringing us to a union of faith and works, are calculated in their nature, if adopted and carried out in the practices of the Latter-day Saints, to make them the most independent people that live upon the face of the earth, depending indeed only upon the Lord our God, the giver of every good and perfect gift. I can see, as clearly as it is possible for me to see the light of the sun, that if the instructions that were given here yesterday, and the day before, in relation to uniting ourselves together in temporal affairs, were carried out by the people, we would soon no longer be beholden to the world, and it would be said of us, that we were dependent upon no power upon the earth but the power of God. ⁷

 

Joseph Fielding Smith

[The pioneers] were taught by their leaders to produce, as far as possible, all that they consumed, and to be frugal and not wasteful of their substance. This is still excellent counsel. ⁸

Harold B. Lee

We expect the individual to do all he can to help himself, whether it be an emergency for a single family or for a whole community, that the relatives will do all they can to help, then the Church steps in with commodities from the storehouse, with fast offerings to meet their needs that commodities from the storehouse will not supply, and finally the Relief Society and the priesthood quorums will assist with rehabilitation. ⁹

Spencer W. Kimball

No true Latter-Day Saint, while physically or emotionally able will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life (1 Tim. 5:8) ¹⁰

The little gardens and a few trees are very valuable. I remember when the sisters used to say, `well, but we could buy it at the store a lot cheaper than we could put it up.’ But that isn’t quite the answer, is it, Sister Spafford? Because there will become a time when there isn’t a store.” ¹¹

We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities…Develop your skills in your home preservation and storage. We reaffirm the previous counsel the Church has always given, to acquire and maintain a year’s supply—a year’s supply of the basic commodities for us. We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, ‘Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says. ¹²

Gardens promote independence. Should evil times come, many might wish they had filled all their fruit bottles and cultivated a garden in their backyards and planted a few fruit trees and berry bushes and provided for their own commodity needs.

The Lord planned that we would be independent of every creature, but we note even many farmers buy their milk from dairies and homeowners buy their garden vegetables from the store. And should the trucks fail to fill the shelves of the stores, many would go hungry. ¹³

No amount of philosophizing, excuses, or rationalizing will ever change the fundamental need for self-reliance. With this agency we can rise to glory or fall to condemnation… The principle of self-reliance stands behind the Church’s emphasis on personal and family preparedness. With regard to all phases of our lives, I believe that men should help themselves. They should plow and plant and cultivate and harvest and not expect their faith to bring them bread. God could have set up a kingdom in which there would never have been oppression, hunger, nakedness, war, or sorrow, or illness, or death, but he chose to do it this way, to give men their free agency, and then to teach them to do right…
I am not howling calamity, but I fear that a great majority of our young people, never having known calamity, depression, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, cannot conceive of such situations ever coming again. There are thousands of young families in this city who could not stand without suffering a three-months period without the threat of their home being foreclosed, their car repossessed, their electric and home equipment being taken back and themselves being reduced to unbelievable rations in the necessities. The great difficulty is that when difficult times come, those who in normal times could lend assistance are also under the wheel of the grinding mill. It may be impossible to anticipate and prepare for the eventualities of depression, war, invasion, bombing, but we can go a long way. What I have seen with my own eyes makes me afraid not to do what I can to protect against the calamities…
We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where he says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)…
The Lord planned that we would be independent of every creature, but we note even many farmers buy their milk from dairies and homeowners buy their garden vegetables from the store. And should the trucks fail to fill the shelves of the stores, many would go hungry. ¹⁴

Joseph Fielding Smith

[The Pioneers] were taught by their leaders to produce, as far as possible, all that they consumed. . . . This is still excellent counsel. ¹⁵

Ezra Taft Benson

The strength of the Church welfare program lies in every family following the inspired direction of the Church leaders to be self-sustaining through adequate preparation. God intends for His Saints to so prepare themselves “that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world” (D&C 78:14). ¹⁶

An almost forgotten means of economic self-reliance is the home production of food. We are too accustomed to going to stores and purchasing what we need. By producing some of our food we reduce, to a great extent, the impact of inflation on our money. More importantly, we learn how to produce our own food and involve all family members in a beneficial project. ¹⁷

There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food, even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two. Man’s material wealth basically springs from the land and other natural resources. Combined with his human energy and multiplied by his tools, this wealth is assured and expanded through freedom and righteousness. Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of each of these particulars. ¹⁸

“There is more salvation and security in wheat,” said Orson Hyde years ago, “than in all the political schemes of the world” (Journal of Discourses, 2:207). The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah. ¹⁹

More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when a crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstances. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared. For this reason the Brethren have repeatedly stressed a “back to basics” program for temporal and spiritual welfare. ²⁰

Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through the home production and storage, but others as well. ²¹

Some have rationalized that they have no time or space. May I suggest you do what others have done. Get together with others and seek permission to use a vacant lot for a garden, or rent a plot of ground and grow your gardens. Some elders quorums have done this as a quorum, and all who have participated have reaped the benefits of a vegetable and fruit harvest and the blessings of cooperation and family involvement. Many families have dug up lawn space for gardens. ²²

Vivid in my memory are the people who got on trains each morning with all kinds of bric-a-brac in their arms to go out to the countryside to trade their possessions for food. At evening time, the train station was filled with people with arms full of vegetables and fruits, and a menagerie of squealing pigs and chickens. You never heard such a commotion. These people were, of course, willing to barter practically anything for that commodity which sustains life—food. ²³

For over one hundred years we have been admonished to store up grain. “Remember the counsel that is given,” said Elder Orson Hyde, ” `. . . Store up all your grain.’ and take care of it! . . . And I tell you it is almost as necessary to have bread to sustain the body as it is to have food for the spirit; for the one is as necessary as the other to enable us to carry on the work of God upon the earth.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 17.) He also said: “There is more salvation and security in wheat, than in all the political schemes of the world. . . .” (JD, vol. 2, p. 207.)

As to the foodstuffs which should be stored, the Church has left that decision primarily to the individual members. Some excellent suggestions are available from the Church Welfare Committee. “All grain is good for the food of man” (D&C 89:16), the Lord states, but he particularly singles out wheat. Dry, whole, hard grains, when stored properly, can last indefinitely, and their nutritional value can be enhanced through sprouting, if desired.

It would be well if every family had on hand grain for at least a year. And may I remind you that it generally takes several times as much land to produce a given amount of food when grains are fed to livestock and we consume the meat. Let us be careful not to overdo beef cattle and other livestock projects on our welfare farms.

From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord’s counsel, wheat should have high priority. Water, of course, is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, and salt or its equivalent. The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah. ²⁴

Healthful foods, proper rest, adequate exercise, and a clean conscience can prepare us to tackle the trials that lie ahead.

Concerning clothing, we should anticipate future needs, such as extra work clothes and clothes that would supply warmth during winter months when there may be shortages or lack of heating fuel. Leather and bolts of cloth could be stored, particularly for families with younger children who will outgrow and perhaps outwear their present clothes. ²⁵

Men should seek honorable employment and do their work well in order to provide for their own. Those who can perform useful skills with their hands will be in increasing demand. Handymen, farmers, builders, tailors, gardeners, and mechanics can and will provide a real blessing to their families and their fellowmen.
²⁶

Wood, coal, gas, oil, kerosene, and even candles are among those items which could be reserved as fuel for warmth, cooking, and light or power. Some may be used for all of these purposes and certain ones would have to be stored and handled cautiously. It would also be well to have on hand some basic medical supplies to last for at least a year.
²⁷

Gordon B. Hinckley

We feel the need to emphasize with greater clarity the obligation for members of the Church to become more independent and self reliant. ²⁸

Relief Society stands for self-reliance. The best food storage is not in welfare grain elevators but in sealed cans and bottles in the homes of our people. What a gratifying thing it is to see cans of wheat and rice and beans under the beds or in the pantries of women who have taken welfare responsibility into their own hands. ²⁹

The best storehouse is the family storeroom. ³⁰

Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come. ³¹

The best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary. … We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. ³²

Brethren, I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment…prudence should govern our lives … We can begin with a one week food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. … I fear that so many feel that a long-term supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way… gradually build toward a reasonable objective. ³³

Scriptures

3 Nephi 4:4, 18

Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years…. ³⁴

…it was impossible for the robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect upon the Nephites, because of their much provision which they had laid up in store. ³⁵

D&C 29:16

And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth.

Alma 60:21

…do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?… ³⁶

Hebrews 11:7

By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet … prepared an ark to the saving of his house… ³⁷

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ³⁸

D&C 38:30

…if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. ³⁹

Supporting Statements

General Welfare Services Committee

The times require that every officer of the Church be uniformly trained in principles of welfare, and that each one in turn train the rank and file until every individual is prepared for the calamities which are to come. I think it not extreme for me to say at this point that when all is written about the events to come, we may have hardly enough time to prepare, even if all our resources, spiritual and temporal, are taxed to the limit. ⁴⁰

H. Burke Peterson

On the average, about 30 percent of the church has a two-month supply of food. The remainder have little or none…become self-sufficient as possible to prepare against the days to come. ⁴¹

Heber C. Kimball

#1:

Lay up your stores, and take your silks and fine things and exchange them for grain and such things as you need and the time will come when we will be obliged to depend upon our own resources.; for the time is not far distant when the curtain will be dropped between us and the United States. When that time comes, brethren and sisters, you will wish you had commenced sooner to make your own clothing. I tell you God requires us to go into home manufacture; and prolong it as much as you like, you have got to do it.

You will also see the day that you will wish you had laid up your grain, if you do not do it now; for you will see the day, if you do not take care of the blessings God has given to you, that you will become servants, the same as the world will.

We have told you this before. You have been exhorted, year after year, to prepare for hard times: you have been told of this often enough. We have told you that when hard times come again you won’t have the privilege that you had last time of having food dealt out to you gratuitously, but you will have to pay for all you get. This will come to pass. I suppose there are many who don’t believe it. To such it is like a tune that strikes upon the drum of the ear, passes off, and is forgotten.

I will prove to you that I will put my faith with my works and lay up stores for my family and for my friends that are in the United States, and I will be to them as Joseph was to the people in the land of Egypt. Every man and woman will be a saviour if they will do as I say. You may write this down and send it to the States; for it will be published…⁴²

#2:

You have been warned beforehand, and that by revelation from God through Joseph Smith, and afterward through brother Brigham who is our Prophet, you have been warned, time and time again, to take care of your grain. In future build yourselves good storehouses and save your grain for a time of famine, and sickness, and death upon the nations of the wicked, to get rid of the evildoers. I have noticed those predictions, I have reflected upon them ever since they were told us. . . .

Take this people as a people, throughout the valleys of the mountains, and I presume that they are the best people upon the face of the earth, and even here there is hardly a person but what takes a course to live from hand to mouth, that is, they will never lay up anything. This course will not answer for us, we must lay up grain against the famines that will prevail upon the earth. What shall we lay up that grain for? Shall we lay it up to feed the wicked? No, we shall lay it up to feed the Saints who gather here from all the nations of the earth, and for the millions of lovers of good and wholesome laws who will come from the old countries and from the United States, fleeing to this place for their bread, and I know it . . . .

Let us all take such a course, and in future raise an abundance of grain, and save ourselves from the dilemma which we will otherwise fall into. It is necessary for you to understand and comprehend these things, and I wish you to understand them for yourselves; I can only act for one. When I lay up grain and others do not, I cannot let them starve to death, it is not in me to do that, but it is a pretty difficult position to be placed in. When we attempt to draw the line of distinction between right and wrong, it is unpleasant to have individuals among us who will lie for a pound of flour. When we know such individuals is it right for me to give flour to them? No, it is not right for me to give it to anyone, only in exchange for something else, except under certain circumstances. . . .

There are many who will feed the  ungodly sooner than the Saints, but I tell you I will feed the Saints first and the poor devils afterwards, if there is any to spare. But none of them should have food unless they worked for it. I am expressing some of my feelings, and speaking of some of my actual knowledge of things, temporal and spiritual. ⁴³

#3:

“How does the earth feel, when righteous men and women are walking upon it, ploughing it, hoeing it, watering it, blessing it! I will tell you the earth feels it, and every part of the earth that is attached to it. It has power in it. Let us go to work and be an independent people.” ⁴⁴

Years ago, in the days of Joseph, the Lord gave a revelation instructing this people to produce what they wanted for their own use by their own labor; and you have been taught it from that day to the present time, and the Lord has brought us into these mountains to bring to pass these very things, that we may become a free and independent people. To produce these things ourselves is necessary for our temporal and spiritual salvation. ⁴⁵

Orson Pratt

And the time will come, when we shall find ourselves restricted, and when it will be very important indeed for us to patronize home productions, and cease sending our millions abroad for importations, for the gate will be shut down, and circumstances will be such that we cannot bring things from abroad; and hence, the necessity of the exhortation that we have received from time to time, to engage with all our hearts in the various branches of industry necessary to make us self-sustaining and to carry them out with all the tact and wisdom which God has given to us, that we may become free and independent in all these matters, free before the heavens, and free from all nations of the earth and their productions, so as being dependent upon them is concerned. ⁴⁶

Marion G. Romney

We will see the day when we will live on what we produce. ⁴⁷

…If we are to be saved in an ark, as Noah and his family were, it will be because we build it… My faith does not lead me to think the Lord will provide us with roast pigs, bread already buttered, etc., He will give us the ability to raise the grain, to obtain the fruits of the earth, to make habitations, to procure a few boards to make a box, and when harvest comes, giving us the grain, it is for us to preserve it—to save the wheat until we have one, two, five or seven years’ provisions on hand, until there is enough of the staff of life saved by the people to bread themselves and those who will come here seeking for safety…(the fulfillment of that prophecy is yet in the future). ⁴⁸

Victor L. Brown

Our emphasis on this subject is not grounds for crisis thinking or panic. Quite the contrary, personal and family preparedness should be a way of provident living, an orderly approach to using the resources, gifts, and talents the Lord shares with us. So the first step is to teach our people to be self-reliant and independent through proper preparation for daily life. ⁴⁹

Keith B. McMullin

A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life. Remember these words from Paul: “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”… And, brethren, we lay up in store! Then, “through [the Lord’s] providence, notwithstanding the tribulation … the church [and its people will] stand independent.” … By doing these things, “the Lord shall have power of his saints, and shall reign in [our] midst.” ⁵⁰

L. Tom Perry

Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually, we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal needs….We have been instructed for years to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come.

First, gain an adequate education. Learn a trade or a profession to enable you to obtain steady employment that will provide remuneration sufficient to care for yourself and your family….

Second, live strictly within your income and save something for a rainy day. Incorporate in your lives the discipline of budgeting that which the Lord has blessed you with. As regularly as you pay your tithing, set aside an amount needed for future family requirements….

Third, avoid excessive debt. Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer and after obtaining the best possible advice. We need the discipline to stay well within our ability to pay….

Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life [if local laws permit such storage]. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency. As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year’s supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.. . . Create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan . . . We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away. ⁵¹

Vaughn J. Featherstone

Now you ask where do I get the money for these things. I agree I need them, but I’m having a hard time making ends meet. Here is how you do it: Use one or more of the following suggestions: Food Storage Christmas: Use 25-50% of money for food storage, New Clothes: Don’t buy instead make it last a few more months, use that money for food storage, Vacation/ Holiday: no vacation or holiday until food storage is complete, Recreation: Cut by 50% use money for food storage, find fun, free things to make lasting memories, Snowmobiles/campers/boats: sell or trade to get a year’s supply, Change Diet: eat cheaper foods and use extra money for food storage.

The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every LDS family to have a year’s supply of food reserves … All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment. Miracles will take place: the way will be opened and we will have our storage areas filled. (1976 General Conference, Vaughn J. Featherstone, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/04/food-storage?lang=eng)

J. Reuben Clark

I still have apprehension that we may have hard times. I still fear that we are going to have a war before too long that on each side will be intended to be a virtually exterminating war. I would like each one of you to think of having around you-you farmers-production that would enable you to live (and possibly for a while without too much mechanization), and help some of your city folk to live, too. It is a terrible picture even to think about, but we will be shortsighted if we do not. ⁵²

1. October 1936 General Conference
2. Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 293
3. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7: 67
4. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 11: 134.
5. Brigham Young Deseret News, July 18, 1860, 153.
6. Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 166.
7. Joseph F. Smith, “What the Lord Requires of His Saints”, Journal of Discourses, vol. 18, pp. 133-135, October 10, 1875.
8. Joseph Fielding Smith, “The Pioneer Spirit,” Improvement Era, July 1970, 3.
9. “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee”, 2000, 171.
10. Spencer W. Kimball, CR Oct. 1977.
11. Spencer W. Kimball (General Conference, April 1974)
12. Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 171; or Ensign, May 1976, 124
13. Spencer W. Kimball. October Conference, 1974
14. Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 376.
15. Joseph Fielding Smith, Improvement Era, July 1970, p. 3.
16. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country, pp. 270-71.
17. Ezra Taft Benson, CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]: 32.
18. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 269.
19. Ezra Taft Benson, CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]: 33.
20. Ezra Taft Benson, CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]: 32.
21. Ezra Taft Benson, CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]: 34.
22. Ezra Taft Benson, CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]: 32-33.
23. Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 32
24. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 268.
25. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 270.
26. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 270.
27. Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 270.
28. Gordon B. Hinckley (General Conference, April 1983)
29. President Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report, October 2006, “In the Arms of His Love.”
30. Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report, Oct. 2005, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear.”
31. Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report, Oct. 2005, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear.”
32. Gordon B. Hinkley, “To Men of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 5.
33. Gordon B. Hinkley, Priesthood Session, October 2002.
34. 3 Nephi 4-4
35. 3 Nephi 4:18
36. Alma 60:21
37. Hebrews 11:7
38. Proverbs 6:6-8
39. D&C 38:30
40. “The Training Challenge,” General Welfare Services Committee, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2 February 1977.
41. Bishop H. Burke Peterson (General Conference October 1975)
42. Heber C. Kimball,  Remarks made in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, Afternoon, July 5, 1857, recorded in Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 10
43. Heber C. Kimball, “Elders Called to Go on Missions, Etc.“, Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, pp. 227-232, March 2, 1856.
44. Heber C. Kimball, “Enmity of Sectarian Priests, Etc.”, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, pp. 130-135, December 20, 1857.
45. Heber C. Kimball, “Union—Light of the Spirit, Etc.”, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, pp. 101-105, November 29, 1857.
46. Orson Pratt (Deseret Evening News, vol. 8, #265, October 1875.
47. President Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, April 1976, “The Church and the Family in Welfare Services.”
48. Marion G. Romney (Quoting Brigham Young) (April Conference, 1976
49. Victor L. Brown, “Welfare Services Essentials: The Bishops Storehouse,” Ensign, Nov. 1976, pp. 112-13
50. Keith B. McMullin, “Lay Up in Store,” Ensign May 2007.
51. L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36
52. J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Welfare Conference, The Assembly Hall, October 11, 1958.